Card type network interface, network conference terminal device and network conference system

ABSTRACT

A wireless LAN conference system can be constructed without increasing the cost of equipment of a conference hall and without imposing a burden upon participants to execute a network setting. There are provided network conference terminal devices  11 ( 2 ) to  11 ( n ) in which network interface cards  1  are attached to information terminal devices. The network interface card  1  includes a connecting means for connecting the information terminal device to a wireless LAN, a determining means for determining whether the information terminal device is served as a host or a client of the wireless LAN, a setting means for requesting the host to transmit setting information necessary for executing the network setting to connect the information terminal device to the wireless LAN based on the fact that the information terminal device is determined as the client and executing the network setting by using the setting information transmitted from the host and a processing means for transmitting a requested setting information to the client based on the fact that the information terminal device is determined as the host and transmitting presentation data to the client in which the network setting was completed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a card type network interfaceattached to an information terminal device such as a personal computer,a network conference terminal device using such card type networkinterface and a network conference system using this network conferenceterminal device.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Network I/F (interface) cards which are PC cards based on thestandards of PCMCIA (personal computer memory card interface adapter)and which are capable of connecting personal computers to a LAN (localarea network) are spreading increasingly. When this network interfacecard is inserted into a PC card slot of a personal computer, it becomespossible to connect this personal computer to the LAN.

[0003] In order to connect a personal computer (hereinafter referred toas a “personal computer”) to the LAN, it is necessary to execute inadvance a setting for connecting personal computers to the LAN(hereinafter referred to as a “network setting”). This network settingcontains a setting of an IP address (identification information andlocation information for controlling a path) of such personal computerin the LAN and a setting of an IP address of a DNS server (server forproviding a translation between IP addresses and domain names).

[0004]FIG. 1 shows a personal computer to which a conventional networkinterface card is connected and to which reference will be made inexplaining a function of a portion used to execute this network setting.In the operating system (e.g., Windows 95 or Windows 98 (“Windows” is aregistered trademark)) of personal computer, there is supported anetwork function. This network function contains a function whichdisplays a network setting picture to execute a network setting based onuser's input operations.

[0005] On the other hand, a device driver which is software to control aconventional network interface card does not contain a network settingfunction. For this reason, a network setting of a personal computer isexecuted by using a network function of the operating system of thepersonal computer.

[0006]FIG. 2 shows a working procedure executed by users to connect thepersonal computer shown in FIG. 1 to the LAN. Users insert the networkinterface card into the personal computer and activate the operatingsystem of the personal computer to display a control panel on the screenof the personal computer. Then, users select a network setting icon fromthe control panel and enters data in accordance with instructions of anetwork setting picture displayed when users select the correspondingicon. Thereafter, users restarts the operating system and the networksetting is completed.

[0007] As described above, in order to attach the conventional networkinterface card to the personal computer so that the personal computermay be connected to the LAN, users have to activate the operating systemof the personal computer to make operations to execute the networksetting. Accordingly, these operations are difficult to understand forusers who have little knowledge of the operating system. When thenotebook size personal computer, for example, are carried into variousplaces and is connected to the LAN, the above operations should be madeat every place so that such operations become troublesome for users whoare rich in knowledge of the operating system.

[0008] Under circumstances in which a DHCP which is a protocol capableof managing information to execute the network setting in a centralizedfashion is supported by the operating system, since the operating systemside automatically executes the network setting processing, users neednot do operations to execute the network setting. However, in actualpractice, most of the users have personal computers in which the DHCP isnot supported by the Cooperating system.

[0009] In view of the aforesaid aspect, the first problem to be solvedby the present invention is that, when the network interface card isattached to the personal computer to thereby connect the personalcomputer to the LAN, even though the DHCP is not supported by theoperating system of the personal computer, the network setting can beexecuted without troubling users.

[0010] On the other hand, in the places such as various kinds ofmeetings, presentations and lecture meetings (these meetings,presentations and lecture meetings will be generally referred to as a“conference” in this specification), heretofore, the presentation ismade by displaying presentation data such as images and illustrations ona projector. However, depending on the scale of the conference hall andthe size of the screen of the projector, those who have been seateddistant from the projector cannot always watch presentation datadisplayed on the projector well.

[0011] In recent years, there is increasingly spread such a form inwhich presentation data can be displayed on a personal computerconnected to the LAN at each seat in the conference hall. As describedabove, if the conference is held by effectively utilizing the LAN, thenparticipants on all seats become able to watch presentation datasatisfactorily.

[0012] However, if the personal computer is provided at each seat asequipment, then it is unavoidable that the cost of equipment in theconference hall will be increased. If notebook size personal computersbrought by the participants of the conference are connected to the LANwithin the conference hall, then the cost of equipment can be preventedfrom being increased. In that case, the operations for executing thenetwork setting become troublesome for the participants.

[0013] In view of the aforesaid aspect, the second problem to be solvedby the present invention is that a conference system using the LAN canbe constructed without increasing the cost of equipment of theconference hall and also without imposing a burden on the participantsin order to execute the network setting.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0014] In order to solve the above first problem, there is proposed acard type network interface which can be attached to an informationterminal device such as a personal computer. This card type networkinterface includes a connecting means for connecting this informationterminal device to a LAN and a setting means for requesting a host ofthe LAN to transmit setting information necessary for setting a networkto connect the information terminal device to the LAN and setting thenetwork by using setting information transmitted from the host based onthe fact that this card type network interface is attached to theinformation terminal device.

[0015] This card type network interface includes not only the connectingmeans for connecting the information terminal device to the LAN (i.e.,function to connect the information terminal device to the LAN) but alsothe setting means for setting the network. Then, when this card isattached to the information terminal device, this setting means requeststhe host of the LAN to transmit the setting information necessary forsetting the network and sets the network by using the settinginformation transmitted from the host.

[0016] As described above, when the card type network interface isattached to the information terminal device, since the network isautomatically set by this setting means, the network can be set withouttroubling users.

[0017] Therefore, in the conference using the LAN, for example, if thecard type network interfaces are prepared in the conference hall andthese card type network interfaces are attached to the informationterminal devices such as notebook size personal computers brought bythose who attended the conference, the network by which members areassumed to attend the conference can be set without troubling those whoattend the conference. Simultaneously, the cost of equipment in theconference hall can be prevented from being increased unlike the case inwhich the information terminal device such as the personal computershould be provided in each seat as equipment.

[0018] This card type network interface further includes a determiningmeans for determining based on the fact that this card type networkinterface is attached to the information terminal device whether theinformation terminal device is served as a host or a client of the LANand a processing means for transmitting requested setting information tothe client if it is determined by this determining means that theinformation terminal device is served as the host. The setting meansrequests the setting information if it is determined by this determiningmeans that the information terminal device is served as the client.

[0019] Consequently, the host of the LAN also is comprised of theinformation terminal device to which this card type network interface isattached. Accordingly, the system of the LAN can be constructed withoutproviding an exclusive-device as a host independently of this card typenetwork interface and the information terminal device. Therefore, in theconference using the LAN, for example, the cost of equipment in theconference hall can be suppressed more.

[0020] Based on the fact that the card type network interface isattached to the information terminal device and on the condition thatthe command for inhibiting the information terminal device from beingdetermined as the host is not received through the LAN, this determiningmeans determines this information terminal device as the host andtransmits the command for inhibiting other information terminal devicefrom being determined as the host through the LAN. As a result, thefirst information terminal device to which the card type networkinterface is attached within the area of the LAN is determined as thehost.

[0021] This card type network interface further includes a processingmeans for requesting the host to get a presentation right based on thefact that the information terminal device is determined as the client bythe determining means, the setting of the network is completed by thesetting means and that a predetermined operation is carried out by theinformation terminal device and transmitting presentation data to thehost and other clients based on the fact that the host got thepresentation right and a processing means for allowing the client to getthe presentation right based on the fact that the information terminaldevice is determined as the host by the determining means and that theprocessing means requests the host to get the presentation right.

[0022] Consequently, in the conference using the LAN, for example, thosewho attended the conference can get the presentation right by operatingthe information terminal devices in hand and can transmit presentationdata. Therefore, those who attend the conference can make a presentationwithout leaving the seats.

[0023] When the connecting means connects the information terminaldevice to the wireless LAN, this card type network interface furtherincludes a processing means for receiving in a polling system a requestfrom the client in which the setting of the network was completed basedon the fact that the information terminal device is determined as thehost by the determining means and wherein the setting means requests thesetting information at the end of the polling cycle.

[0024] Consequently, the host can accurately receive requeststransmitted through the wireless LAN from a plurality of clients inwhich the setting of the network was completed. Simultaneously, the hostcan accurately receive the setting information request through thewireless LAN.

[0025] Presentation application software (program in which a processingfor displaying and controlling presentation data is written) is storedin this card type network interface.

[0026] As a result, in the conference using the LAN, for example, whenthose who attend the conference bring information terminal devices inwhich the presentation application software is not installed, if thiscard type network interface is attached to such information terminaldevice, then the information terminal device becomes able to executethis presentation application software and to display the presentationdata.

[0027] When the information terminal device is such one whichautomatically activates the application software stored in the hard disk(e.g., a personal computer in which the operating system forautomatically activating the application software stored in the harddisk is installed), the card type network interface allows theinformation terminal device to recognize the card type network interfaceas the hard disk so that the presentation application software may beautomatically activated in the information terminal device.

[0028] Consequently, those who attend the conference need not carry outoperations to activate this presentation application software and aburden imposed upon those who attend the conference can be alleviatedmore.

[0029] In order to solve the above second problem, there is proposed anetwork conference terminal device in which a card type networkinterface is attached to an information terminal device such as apersonal computer, for example, and which includes a presentationprocessing means for displaying and controlling presentation data. Thiscard type network interface includes a connecting means for connectingthis information terminal device to the wireless LAN and a setting meansfor requesting a host of this wireless LAN to transmit settinginformation necessary for setting the network to connect thisinformation terminal device to this wireless LAN based on the fact thatthe card type network interface is attached to this information terminaldevice and setting the network by using the setting informationtransmitted from the host.

[0030] This network conference terminal device is constructed by usingthe card type network interface for the wireless LAN of the above cardtype network interface. Accordingly, if the card type network interfaceis prepared in the conference hall and the information terminal devicesare brought by those who attend the conference, then the network bywhich participants are assumed to attend the conference using thewireless LAN can be set without troubling those who attend theconference. At the same time, the cost of equipment of the conferencehall can be prevented from being increased unlike the case in which theinformation terminal device should be provided in each seat asequipment.

[0031] This network conference terminal device includes a presentationprocessing means for displaying and controlling presentation data. Thisnetwork conference terminal device can display presentation data by thispresentation processing means.

[0032] Also in this network conference terminal device, this card typenetwork interface further includes a determining means for determiningbased on the fact that this card type network interface is attached tothe information terminal device whether the information terminal deviceis served as a host or a client of the LAN and a processing means fortransmitting requested setting information to the client if it isdetermined by this determining means that the information terminaldevice is served as the host. The setting means requests the settinginformation if it is determined by this determining means that theinformation terminal device is served as the client.

[0033] Consequently, the host of the LAN also is comprised of thenetwork conference terminal device. Accordingly, the wireless LANconference system can be constructed without providing anexclusive-device as a host independently of this network conferenceterminal device. Therefore, the cost of equipment in the conference hallcan be suppressed more.

[0034] As mentioned before, this determining means determines the firstinformation terminal device to which the card type network interface isattached within the area of the wireless LAN as the host.

[0035] This network conference terminal device further includes aprocessing means for requesting the host to get a presentation rightbased on the fact that the information terminal device is determined asthe client by the determining means, the setting of the network iscompleted by the setting means and that a predetermined operation iscarried out by the information terminal device and transmittingpresentation data to the host and other clients based on the fact thatthe host got the presentation right and a processing means for allowingthe client to get the presentation right based on the fact that theinformation terminal device is determined as the host by the determiningmeans and that the processing means requests the host to get thepresentation right.

[0036] Consequently, in the conference using the LAN, for example, thosewho attended the conference can get the presentation right by operatingthe information terminal devices in hand and can transmit presentationdata. Therefore, those who attend the conference can make a presentationwithout leaving the seats.

[0037] Also in this network conference terminal device, this card typenetwork interface further includes a processing means for receiving in apolling system a request from the client in which the setting of thenetwork was completed based on the fact that the information terminaldevice is determined as the host by the determining means and whereinthe setting means requests the setting information at the end of thepolling cycle.

[0038] Consequently, the host can accurately receive requeststransmitted through the wireless LAN from a-plurality of clients inwhich the setting of the network was completed. Simultaneously, the hostcan accurately receive the setting information request through thewireless LAN.

[0039] In this network conference terminal, the presentation processingmeans can be realized when the information terminal device executes thepresentation application software stored in the network interface card.

[0040] Consequently, the information terminal device in which thepresentation application software is not installed becomes able todisplay the presentation data.

[0041] When the information terminal device is such one whichautomatically activates the application software stored in the harddisk, the card type network interface allows the information terminaldevice to recognize the card type network interface as the hard disk sothat the presentation application software may automatically beactivated in the information terminal device.

[0042] Consequently, those who attend the conference need not carry outthe operations to activate this presentation application software and aburden imposed upon those who attend the conference can be alleviatedmore.

[0043] In order to solve the above second problem, there is proposed anetwork conference system (wireless LAN conference system) in whichthere are provided a host of a wireless LAN and a client of the wirelessLAN, the client is constructed such that a card type network interfaceis attached to an information terminal device and includes apresentation processing means for displaying and controllingpresentation data. This card type network interface includes aconnecting means for connecting this information terminal device to thewireless LAN and a setting means for requesting a host of this wirelessLAN to transmit setting information necessary for setting the network toconnect this information terminal device to this wireless LAN based onthe fact that the card type network interface is attached to thisinformation terminal device and setting the network by using the settinginformation transmitted from the host. The host transmits the settinginformation to the client based on this setting information request andalso transmits the presentation data to the client in which the settingof the network was completed.

[0044] This network conference system is constructed by using the abovenetwork conference terminal device as the client (i.e., the abovewireless LAN card type network interface).

[0045] Therefore, the network of the clients can be set withouttroubling those who attend the conference, and the system can beconstructed without increasing the cost of equipment of the -conferencehall.

[0046] Also in this network conference system, the card type networkinterface further includes a determining means for determining based onthe fact that this card type network interface is attached to theinformation terminal device whether the information terminal device isserved as a host or a client of the LAN and a processing means fortransmitting requested setting information to the client if it isdetermined by this determining means that the information terminaldevice is served as the host. The setting means requests the settinginformation if it is determined by this determining means that theinformation terminal device is served as the client.

[0047] Consequently, since the host of the LAN also is comprised of thesame network conference terminal device, an exclusive-device need not beprovided within the system as the host, and hence the cost of equipmentin the conference hall can be suppressed more.

[0048] As mentioned before, this determining means determines the firstinformation terminal device to which the card type network interface isattached within the area of the wireless LAN as the host.

[0049] Also in this network conference system, this card type networkinterface further includes a processing means for requesting the host toget a presentation right based on the fact that the information terminaldevice is determined as the client by the determining means, the settingof the network is completed by the setting means and that apredetermined operation is carried out by the information terminaldevice and transmitting presentation data to the host and other clientsbased on the fact that the host got the presentation right and aprocessing means for allowing the client to get the presentation rightbased on the fact that the information terminal device is determined asthe host by the determining means and that the processing means requeststhe host to get the presentation right.

[0050] Consequently, those who attend the conference can get thepresentation right by operating the network conference terminal devicesin hand and can transmit presentation data. Therefore, those whoattended the conference can make a presentation without leaving theseats.

[0051] Also in this network conference system, this card type networkinterface further includes a processing means for receiving in a pollingsystem a request from the client in which the setting of the network wascompleted based on the fact that the information terminal device isdetermined as the host by the determining means and wherein the settingmeans requests the setting information at the end of the polling cycle.

[0052] Consequently, the host can accurately receive the requeststransmitted through the wireless LAN from a plurality of clients inwhich the setting of the network was completed. Simultaneously, the hostcan accurately receive the setting information request through thewireless LAN.

[0053] Also in this network conference system, the presentationprocessing means can be realized when the information terminal deviceexecutes the presentation application software stored in the networkinterface card.

[0054] Consequently, the client and the host using the informationterminal device in which the presentation application software is notinstalled become able to display the presentation data.

[0055] When the information terminal device is such one whichautomatically activates the application software stored in thehard—disk, the card type network interface allows the informationterminal device to recognize the card type network interface as the harddisk so that the presentation application software may be automaticallyactivated in the information terminal device.

[0056] Consequently, those who attend the conference need not carry outthe operations to activate this presentation application software and aburden imposed upon those who attend the conference can be alleviatedmore.

[0057] In order to solve the above second problem, there is proposed anetwork conference system in which there are provided an image displaydevice and a client of the wireless LAN. This image display deviceincludes an information terminal device to which a card type networkinterface can be attached. This card type network interface is attachedto this information terminal device and this information terminal deviceincludes a presentation processing means for displaying and controllingpresentation data. The client is constructed such that a card typenetwork interface is attached to an information terminal device andincludes this presentation processing means. This card type networkinterface includes a connecting means for connecting this informationterminal device to the wireless LAN, a determining means for determiningbased on the fact that the card type network interface is attached tothis information terminal device whether this information terminaldevice is served as a host or a client of the wireless LAN, a settingmeans for requesting the host of this wireless LAN to transmit settinginformation necessary for setting the network to connect thisinformation terminal device to this wireless LAN based on the fact thatthe information terminal device is determined as the client by thedetermining means and setting the network by using the settinginformation transmitted from the host, a processing means fortransmitting the requested setting information to the client based onthe fact that the information terminal device is determined as the hostby the determining means and transmitting presentation data to theclient in which the setting of the network was completed, a processingmeans for requesting the host to get a presentation right based on thefact that the information terminal device is determined as the client bythe determining means, the setting of the network was completed by thesetting means and a predetermined operation was executed by theinformation terminal device and transmitting presentation data to thehost and the client based on the fact that the host got the presentationright and a processing means for allowing the client to get thepresentation right based on the fact that the information terminaldevice is determined as the host by the determining means and that thehost is requested to get the presentation right. The image displaydevice is such one in which the information terminal device belonging tothe image display device is determined as the host by the determiningmeans.

[0058] This network conference system has the arrangement in which theabove network conference terminal device is used as the client (i.e.,the above wireless LAN card type network interface is used), the imagedisplay device having the information terminal device to which the cardtype network interface can be attached is provided as the image displaydevice such as the projector and this image display device serves bothas an image display device and a host.

[0059] Accordingly, the network of the clients can be set withouttroubling those who attend the conference, and the system can beconstructed without increasing the cost of equipment of the conferencehall. Moreover, those who attend the conference can make a presentationwithout leaving the seats.

[0060] Then, the same presentation data as the presentation datadisplayed on the image display device can be directly transmitted fromthe image display device through the wireless LAN to the client andthereby displayed on the client. At the same time, the presentation datacan be directly transmitted from the client through the wireless LAN tothe image display device and thereby the presentation data can bedisplayed on the image display device.

[0061] Also in this network conference system, the card type networkinterface further includes a processing means for receiving in a pollingsystem a request from the client in which the setting of the network wascompleted based on the fact that the information terminal device isdetermined as the host by the determining means and awaiting the requestof the setting information at the end of the polling cycle and whereinthe setting means requests the setting information at the end of thepolling cycle.

[0062] Consequently, the host can accurately receive requeststransmitted through the wireless LAN from a plurality of clients inwhich the setting of the network was completed. Simultaneously, the hostcan accurately receive the request of the setting information throughthe wireless LAN.

[0063] Also in this network conference system, the presentationprocessing means can be realized when the information terminal deviceexecutes the presentation application software stored in the networkinterface card.

[0064] Consequently, the client and the host using the informationterminal device in which the presentation application software is notinstalled become able to display the presentation data.

[0065] When the information terminal device is such one whichautomatically activates the application software stored in the harddisk, the card type network interface allows the information terminaldevice to recognize the card type network interface as the hard disk sothat the presentation application software may automatically beactivated in the information terminal device.

[0066] Consequently, those who attend the conference need not carry outthe operations to activate this presentation application software and aburden imposed upon those who attend the conference can be alleviatedmore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0067]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of apersonal computer having a conventional network interface card and whichportion is used to execute a network setting.

[0068]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a working procedure necessary toexecute a network setting of the personal computer shown in FIG. 1.

[0069]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of an outwardappearance of a network interface card to which the present invention isapplied.

[0070]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuitarrangement of the network interface card shown in FIG. 3.

[0071]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an overall arrangementof a network conference system according to the present invention.

[0072]FIG. 6 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining processing contents of a “host/client decision program”.

[0073]FIG. 7 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining processing contents of a “host program” corresponding to anetwork setting processing of a “client program”.

[0074]FIG. 8 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining a network setting processing which is a part of theprocessing contents of the “client program”.

[0075]FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the manner in which a requestsignal is transmitted or received in accordance with a polling system.

[0076]FIG. 10A is a diagram showing formats of the polling command andthe request signal shown in FIG. 9.

[0077]FIG. 10B is a diagram showing examples of contents of data orcommand.

[0078]FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a portion, of theclient shown in FIG. 5, used to execute the network setting.

[0079]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a working procedure which is used toexecute the network setting of the client shown in FIG. 5.

[0080]FIG. 13 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining a part of the processing contents of the “host program”.

[0081]FIG. 14 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining a part of the processing contents of the “client program”.

[0082]FIG. 15 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining a part of the processing contents of the “host program”.

[0083]FIG. 16 is a flowchart to which reference will be made inexplaining a part of the processing contents of the “client program”.

[0084]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing other example of an overallarrangement of a network conference system according to the presentinvention.

[0085]FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a further example of an overallarrangement of a network conference system according to the presentinvention.

[0086]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing yet a further example of an overallarrangement of a network conference system according to the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0087] Embodiments according to the present invention will be describedbelow with reference to the drawings.

[0088]FIG. 3 shows an example of an outward appearance and anarrangement of a network interface card, to which the present inventionis applied, together with a notebook size personal computer to whichthis network interface card can be attached. This network interface card1 has a shape and a dimension based on a type 2 or a type 3 of thestandards of the PCMCIA. A notebook size personal computer 2 includes apersonal computer card slot 2 a into which there can be inserted thenetwork interface card 1.

[0089]FIG. 4 shows an example of a circuit arrangement of this networkinterface card 1. The network interface card 1 includes a PCMCIAinterface 3, a network interface 4, an RF modulator 5, an RF demodulator6, an antenna 7, a CPU 8, a flash ROM 9 and a RAM 10.

[0090] The PCMCIA interface 3 is an interface section which interactswith a personal computer having a PC card slot like the notebook sizepersona computer 2 shown in FIG. 3. Through this PCMCIA interface 3,data and commands are transmitted and received between the personalcomputer having the network interface card 1 and the network interfacecard 1.

[0091] The network interface 4 transforms data and commands, transmittedthereto from the personal computer through the PCMCIA interface 3, intodata and commands conforming to the format of predetermined wireless LANstandards (e.g., the standards of 11 works groups in 802 of the IEEE802), transmits the data and commands thus transformed into the RFmodulator 5, and inverse-transforms data and commands, transmitted fromthe RF demodulator 6, and transmits the data and commands thusinverse-transformed to the PCMCIA interface 3.

[0092] The RF modulator 5 modulates data and commands, transmitted fromthe network interface 4, into a radio frequency signal based on thestandards and transmits the radio frequency signal from the antenna 7.The RF demodulator 6 demodulates the radio frequency signal received atthe antenna 7 to provide data and commands, and transmits the data andthe commands to the network interface 4. While FIG. 3 shows thearrangement of the outward appearance in which the antenna 7 is aninternal antenna, the present invention is not limited thereto and anantenna having a shape exposed to the outside may be used in response toa frequency band and the like.

[0093] The CPU 8 controls the PCMCIA interface 3 by executing amicroprogram (firmware) stored in the flash ROM 9 so that data andcommand may be transmitted and received between the network interfacecard and the personal computer having the network interface card 1, andalso controls the network interface 4 so that data and commands may betransmitted and received through the wireless LAN in accordance with apredetermined communications protocol (e.g., TCP/IP protocol).

[0094] As the features of the present invention, the flash ROM 9 storestherein the following microprograms (1) to (4). Contents processed bythe programs (1) to (3) will be described in the examples of operationsof a host and a client of a network conference system as will bedescribed later on.

[0095] (1): A program which ha described processing for enabling thepersonal computer having the network interface card 1 to function as ahost for managing the wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as a “hostprogram”)

[0096] (2): A program which has described processing for enabling thepersonal computer having the network interface card 1 to function as aclient using the wireless LAN under management of the host hereinafterreferred to as a “client program”).

[0097] (3): A program which has described processing for decidingwhether the host program or the client program should be executed(hereinafter referred to as a “host/client decision program).

[0098] (4): Presentation application software (program which hasdescribed processing for displaying and controlling presentation datasuch as images and graphical. This application software contains graphicviewer which is software for displaying images, software for creating,displaying and controlling graphical (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint”manufactured by Microsoft, “Microsoft” and “PowerPoint” are registeredtrademarks of Microsoft) and WWW browser which is software used toaccess WWW server on the Internet to display images of Web pages and thelike.

[0099] The RAM 10 stores therein various data in a process during whichthe CPU 8 executes microprograms within the flash ROM 9.

[0100] Next, FIG. 5 shows an example of an arrangement of a networkconference terminal device (wireless LAN conference terminal device)according to the present invention and an example of an overallarrangement of a network conference system (wireless LAN conferencesystem) according to the present invention.

[0101] This wireless LAN conference system is comprised of a pluralityof (e.g., about 30 to 50) wireless LAN conference terminal devices 11(11(1) to 11(n)), a projector 12 and a video camera 13.

[0102] Each wireless LAN conference terminal device 11 is constructed insuch a manner that the network interface card 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4is attached to a notebook size personal computer (Windows 95 or Windows98, for example, is installed as the operating system) like the notebooksize personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 3. Participants bring thenotebook size personal computer with them and the network interfacecards 1 are prepared in the conference hall.

[0103] One (11(1)) of the wireless LAN conference terminal devices 11 isserved as a host of the wireless LAN, and remaining (n-i) terminaldevices (11(2) to 11(n)) are served as clients of the wireless LAN.

[0104] The wireless LAN conference terminal device 11 is determined whenthe network interface card 1 starts the “host/client decision program”stored in the aforementioned flash ROM 9 based on the fact that theoperating system of the notebook size personal computer is activatedafter the network interface card 1 has been attached to the notebooksize personal computer (or based on the fact that the network interfacecard 1 has been attached to the notebook size personal computer whoseoperating system was activated).

[0105]FIG. 6 shows the processed contents of this “host/client decisionprogram”. First, the network interface card 1 is initialized (datastored when this network interface card was attached to and used by thenotebook size personal computer is erased (step S1). Subsequently, it isdetermined whether or not a command for inhibiting the activation of the“host program” is received through the wireless LAN (step S2).

[0106] If this command is not received, then the “host program” isactivated (step S3). Then, until the network interface card 1 is ejectedfrom the notebook size personal computer or the operating system of thenotebook size personal computer is ended, the command for inhibiting theactivation of the “host program” is continuously transmitted through thewireless LAN (steps S4, S5). Then, when the network interface card 1 isejected from the notebook size personal computer or the operating systemis ended, control is ended.

[0107] If on the other hand the above command is received at the stepS2, then the “client program” is activated (step S6), and control isended.

[0108] As a consequence, the wireless LAN conference terminal device 11which was the first terminal device to which the network interface card1 was attached and in which the operating system of the notebook sizepersonal computer was activated within the conference hall (within thewireless LAN area) is served as the host after the “host program” wasactivated by executing the steps S2 to S4.

[0109] Since the wireless LAN conference terminal device 11 which wasthe second terminal device to which the network interface card 1 wasattached and in which the operating system of the notebook size personalcomputer was activated receives the command transmitted from the firstwireless LAN conference terminal device 11 to which the networkinterface card 1 was attached and in which the operating system of thenotebook size personal computer was activated, this terminal device isserved as the client after the “client program” was activated byexecuting the steps S1, S2 and S5.

[0110] In actual practice, a participant who plays a part of acoordinator in the conference first attaches the network interface card1 to the notebook size personal computer or the participant firstactivates the operating system of the notebook size personal computer tomake its own wireless LAN conference terminal device 11 become the host.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 5, the host 11(1) is connected through anexternal display output terminal of the notebook size personal computerto the projector 12 located within the conference hall and is alsoconnected through a DV terminal of the notebook size personal computerto the video camera 13.

[0112] The host 11(1) is connected through a network port of thenotebook size personal computer to a wire LAN (e.g., Ethernet) which wasconstructed in advance within a building in the conference hall. Thiswire LAN is connected to the Internet through a gateway, not shown.

[0113] The “client program” contains processings used to execute thenetwork setting to connect the clients 11(2) to 11(n) to the wirelessLAN. The network interface cards 1 of the clients 11(2) to 11(n) whose“client programs” were activated immediately start this network settingprocessing.

[0114] The “host program” contains processings to transmit settinginformation necessary for the network setting to the clients 11(2) to11(n) in response to the network setting processing of this “clientprogram”. The host 11(1) immediately starts the processing of the “hostprogram”.

[0115]FIG. 7 shows processed contents of the “host program”corresponding to the network setting processing. FIG. 8 shows thecontents of the network setting processing. As shown in FIG. 7, thenetwork interface card 1 of the host 11(1) displays pictures whichinstruct the notebook size personal computer to enter the followinginformation (a) to (d):

[0116] (a): Enter net mask (information for dividing the IP address intoa previously-determined network portion and a host portion which can beset freely);

[0117] (b): Enter IP address of host;

[0118] (c): Enter IP address of DNS server (server for providing atranslation between IP addresses and domain names); and

[0119] (d): Enter IP address of gateway (a means placed at the connectedportion between the wire LAN and the Internet in FIG. 3)

[0120] Then, when the coordinator of the conference enters theseinformation by operating the notebook size personal computer inaccordance with the instructions displayed on the screen, theseinformation are registered on the RAM 10 as the database (step S12).Subsequently, the host is placed in the standby mode for awaiting thenetwork setting request from the client (step S13).

[0121] The “host program” contains a processing for receiving variouskinds of requests from the network interface card 1 of the client inwhich the network setting was already completed (client whose IP addresswas already registered as the database) in the polling system forsequentially calling these clients. Moreover, the “client program”contains a processing for transmitting a request, generated after thenetwork setting has been completed, in response to this calling.

[0122]FIG. 9 shows the manner in which the requests are transmitted andreceived in accordance with this polling system. The network interfacecard 1 of the host 11(1) transmits a polling command for permitting thetransmission of the request to one client 11(2) of the clients 11(2) to11(i) in which the network setting was already completed. Then, thisnetwork interface card awaits the request during a constant time t.

[0123] The network interface card 1 of the client 11(2) learns that itis permitted to transmit the request, and transmits the request within atime t1 if it has any request. On the other hand, the network interfacecards 1 of the clients 11(3) to 11(i) are not permitted to transmit therequests, and hence they do not transmit the requests. Accordingly,within this time t1, only the request from the client 11(2) is receivedby the host 11(1).

[0124] Subsequently, the network interface card 1 of the host 11(1)transmits the polling command for permitting the transmission of therequest to the next one client 11(3) and awaits the request during thetime t1. Within this time t1, only the request from the client 11(3) isreceived by the host.

[0125] In a like manner, the host sequentially transmits the pollingcommands to the clients 11(4) to 11(i) one by one and awaits theirrequests during the time t1. As a consequence, since the requests aretransmitted one by one from the clients 11(2) to 11(i) and received bythe host 11(1), the host can accurately receive the requests from thoseclients without being affected by an interference caused when therequests from a plurality of clients are received through the wirelessLAN at the same time.

[0126] Data “Polling end” indicating that one cycle of calling theclients in which the network setting was completed was finished(indicating the end of the polling cycle) is added to the pollingcommand which is to be transmitted to the last client 11(i). Then, afterthe host has awaited the request from the client 11(i) during the timet1, the host is further placed in the standby mode during a constanttime t2. If the request is not received by the host during this time t2,then the host immediately calls the next client (i.e., the hostsequentially transmits the polling commands again to the clients 11(2)to 11(i) one by one and awaits the request during the time t1).

[0127]FIG. 10A shows formats of the polling command and the requestsignal. The polling command and the request signal contain an IP addressof a transmission destination, an IP address of a transmission source, avalue indicating bytes of the following signal, data or a commandindicating the contents of the polling command and the request signaland a checksum, in that order.

[0128]FIG. 10B shows examples of the contents of the data or the commandshown in FIG. 10A. The “Polling end” is data which is added to thepolling command transmitted to the last client in order to indicate theend of the polling cycle.

[0129] A network interface card 1 of a client 11(i+1) attached to thenotebook size personal computer (of which the network setting was notyet executed) in somewhere of this polling cycle continues monitoringthis polling command until the polling command with the data “Pollingend” attached thereto is received (i.e., up to the end of the pollingcycle) as shown in FIG. 8 (steps S21, S22). Then, at the end of thepolling cycle, after only the time t1 during which the client 11(i) inFIG. 9 is allowed to transmit the request signal has elapsed, thenetwork setting request signal is transmitted to the host 11(1) duringthe time t2 (when the request signal transmitted from the client 11(i)is received within this time t1, the request signal may be transmittedto the host before the time t1 elapses) (step S23).

[0130] This network setting request signal is transmitted in accordancewith the signal format shown in FIG. 10A. However, since the IP addressis not given to the client 11(i+1) from the host 11(1), the IP addressof the transmission source is set to a dummy address which is determinedby the network interface card 1 of the client 11(i+1), for example. Inthis network setting request signal, as shown in FIG. 10B, the contentsof the data or the command are set to “Request IP address”.

[0131] The network interface card 1 of the host 13(1) awaits thisnetwork setting request at every time t2 after the end of the pollingcycle in FIG. 9 at the step S13 shown in FIG. 7. Consequently, theclient can accurately receive the network setting request without beingaffected by the interference caused when the request from the client inwhich the network setting was already completed and this network settingrequest are received simultaneously.

[0132] Then, if the host receives the network setting request withinthis time t2, then the polling system request receiving processing shownin FIG. 9 is paused (step S14). Then, the IP address is given to theclient 11(i+1), and as shown in FIG. 9, that IP address and the IPaddresses of the host registered at the step S12 and the DNS server aretransmitted to the client 11(i+1) as setting information for the network(step S15).

[0133] These IP addresses are transmitted in accordance with the signalformat shown in FIG. 10A. The IP address of the transmission destinationis set to a dummy address which is determined by the network interfacecard 1 of the aforementioned client 11(i+1).

[0134] As shown in FIG. 8, the client 11(i+1) which has transmitted thenetwork setting request signal awaits the reception of these IPaddresses (step S24). Then, if these IP addresses are received, then thesetting used to connect the client 11(i+1) to the wireless LAN isexecuted by storing these IP addresses in the RAM 10 (step S25). Then,data indicating that the network setting was completed is transmittedthrough the wireless LAN (step S26). Then, control is vended.

[0135] The data indicating that the network setting was completed alsois transmitted in accordance with the signal format shown in FIG. 10A.Then, the IP address of the transmission source is set to the IP addressgiven from the host 11(1). In this data, as shown in FIG. 10B, thecontents of the data or the command are set to a “Complete set IPAddress”.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 7, the network interface card 1 of the host11(1) awaits the reception of the data indicating that this networksetting was completed (step S16). Then, when this data is received, theIP address given to the client 11(i+1) is registered as a database (stepS17).

[0137] Subsequently, the polling system request reception processingwhich was temporarily interrupted is resumed (step S18). In the resumedpolling system request reception processing, the clients 11(2) to11(i+1) including the client 11(i+1) in which the network setting wascompleted are called sequentially.

[0138] Then, referring back to the step S13, the host awaits the factthat another client executes the network setting. The processing shownin FIG. 7 is executed until the network interface card 1 is ejected fromthe notebook size personal computer or the operating system of thenotebook size personal computer is ended.

[0139] In the resumed polling system request reception processing, theclients 11(2) to 11(i+1) including the new client in which the networksetting was completed are called sequentially.

[0140] In the stage in which the network setting of even one client isnot yet completed, the network interface card 1 of the host 11(1) doesnot receive the request signal in accordance with the polling system.Therefore, at that stage, while the network interface card 1 of the host11(1), for example, is constantly awaiting the network setting requestfrom the client at the step S13 shown in FIG. 7, the network interfacecard 1 of the client transmits the network setting request at any timeon condition that the host 11(1) does not yet transmit the pollingcommand.

[0141] By the processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the network setting forconnecting the respective clients 11(2) to 11(n) of FIG. 5 to thewireless LAN is completed as an assumption that the participants are toattend the wireless LAN.

[0142]FIG. 11 shows a function of any portion of the clients 11(2) to11(n) used to execute this network setting. The device driver(microprogram stored within the flash ROM 9 shown in FIG. 4) forcontrolling the network interface card 1 contains the network settingfunction (the “host program” and the “client program”). The networksetting of the clients 11(2) to 11(n) is executed by using the devicedriver function of this network interface card 1.

[0143] Accordingly, as is clear from the contrast with FIG. 1 whichshows the conventional network interface card, the network setting canbe carried out without using the operating system of the notebook sizepersonal computer to which the network interface card 1 is attached.

[0144]FIG. 12 shows a procedure of operations that should be executed bythe participants of the conference in order to execute the networksetting of the clients 11(2) to 11(n). When the network interface card 1is attached to the notebook size personal computer and the operatingsystem of the notebook size personal computer is activated (the networkinterface card 1 may be attached to the notebook size personal computerafter the operating system of the notebook size personal computer hasbeen activated), the network setting is automatically executed by theprocessings shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0145] Accordingly, as is clear from the contrast with FIG. 2 whichshows the conventional network interface card, the network-setting ofthe clients 11(2) to 11(n) as the assumption that the participants areto attend the wireless LAN can be carried out without imposing a burdenon the participants of the conference.

[0146] The “host program” and the “client program” respectively containprocessings in which a presentation is executed by using presentationapplication software stored within the flash ROM 9. The networkinterface card 1 of the host 11(1) which has activated the “hostprogram” immediately starts this processing after the network setting ofany one client has been completed. The network interface card 1 of theclients 11(2) to 11(n) which have activated the “client program” alsostarts this processing after the respective network settings have beencompleted.

[0147]FIGS. 13 and 14 show the contents of the processings at the “hostprogram” and the “client program”, respectively. As shown in FIG. 13,the network interface card 1 of the host 11(1) enables the operatingsystem of the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) torecognize this network interface card 1 as a hard disk. At the sametime, this network interface card sets an automatic activation file(step S31).

[0148] The Windows 95 and the Windows 98 have a function in whichreapplication software stored within the hard disk can automatically beactivated when the automatic activating file is set to the hard disk.Accordingly, the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1)recognizes the network interface card 1 as the hard disk based on theprocessing at this step S31 so that the presentation applicationsoftware stored within the flash ROM 9 is activated automatically.

[0149] The processing at this step S31 may be the existing processingwhich is adopted by “MEMORY STICK”, for example.

[0150] The coordinator of the conference can display the presentationdata on the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) byoperating the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) inaccordance with the presentation application software which wasactivated automatically and can display the same presentation data onthe projector 12 (FIG. 5) through the external display output terminalof the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1).

[0151] Specifically, by using “Microsoft PowerPoint”, for example,illustrations and the like reproduced from the hard disk and the floppydisk of the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) andillustrations and the like transmitted from the server of the wire LANcan be displayed on the notebook size personal computer of the host11(1) and the projector 12.

[0152] Images reproduced from the hard disk and the floppy disk of thenotebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) by using the graphicviewer, images transmitted from the server of the wire LAN and imagespicked up by the video camera 13 (FIG. 5) can be displayed on thenotebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) and the projector 12shown in FIG. 5 by using the graphic viewer.

[0153] Moreover, images and the like of the web page can be displayed onthe notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) and the projector12 shown in FIG. 5 by accessing the WWW of the Internet through the wireLAN with the WWW browser.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 14, the network interface cards 1 of the clients11(2) to 11(n) enable the notebook size personal computers of theclients 11(2) to 11(n) to recognize this network interface card 1 as ahard disk, respectively. At the same time, the above network interfacecards set the automatic activating file (step S41).

[0155] Accordingly, the notebook size personal computers of the clients11(2) to 11(n) recognize the network interface card 1 as the hard diskso that the presentation application software stored in the flash ROM 9may be activated automatically.

[0156] Other participants of the conference than the coordinator candisplay presentation data on the notebook size personal computers of theclients 11(2) to 11(n) by operating the notebook size personal computersof the clients 11(2) to 11(n) with this presentation applicationsoftware, respectively.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 13, the network interface card 1 of the host11(1) awaits the operation in which the presentation data is displayedon the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) by using thepresentation application software (step S32).

[0158] Then, when that operation is carried out (i.e., the presentationdata is displayed on the notebook size personal computer of the host11(1) and the projector 12), the same presentation data is transmittedto the clients 11(2) to 11(n), and a command for displaying thepresentation data by using the presentation application software (e.g.,graphic viewer in case of images) corresponding to that presentationdata and a command for displaying that presentation data in synchronismwith the host 11(1)(page switching timing and the like are madecoincident) are transmitted to the clients 11(2) to 11(n).

[0159] As shown in FIG. 14, the network interface cards 1 of the clients11(2) to 11(n) await the reception of this presentation data and thecommands (step S42). Then, if the network interface cards receive thepresentation data and the commands, then this presentation data isdisplayed on the notebook size personal computers of the clients 11(2)to 11(n) by using the presentation application software in accordancewith this command, respectively (step S43).

[0160] Consequently, the same presentation data as that displayed on theprojector 12 is also displayed on the notebook size personal computersof the clients 11(2) to 11(n).

[0161] As shown in FIG. 13, while executing the steps S32 and S33, thenetwork interface card 1 of the host 11(1) repeatedly determines whetheror not a presentation right get request from any of the clients 11(2) to11(n) is received (step S34). The request signals are transmitted andreceived in the polling system shown in FIG. 9 in the processings shownin FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 14, while executing the steps S42 and S43, thenetwork interface cards 1 of the clients 11(2) to 11(n) repeatedlydetermine whether or not the notebook size personal computers of theclients 11(2) to 11(n) execute the predetermined operation in order toget the presentation right (step S44). If this operation is executed,then the presentation right get request is transmitted to the host 11(1)(step S45).

[0163] As shown in FIG. 13, if the presentation right get request fromany of the clients 11(2) to 11(n) is received, then the networkinterface card 1 of the host 11(1) transmits the presentation right getcommand to the corresponding client (step S35).

[0164] As shown in FIG. 14, after the network interface card 1 of theclient which has transmitted the presentation right get requesttransmitted the presentation right get request, this network interfacecard 1 awaits that the presentation right get command is received (stepS46).

[0165] When this command is received, the network interface card awaitsthat the notebook size personal computer of the client concerneddisplays presentation data by using the presentation applicationsoftware (step S47).

[0166] If such operation is carried out (i.e., if the presentation datais displayed on the notebook size personal computer of the clientconcerned), then the same presentation data is transmitted to the host11(1) and other clients, and the command for displaying the presentationdata by using the presentation application software corresponding tothat presentation data and the command for displaying that presentationdata in synchronism with the client concerned are transmitted to thehost 11(1) and other clients (step S48.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 13, it is determined by the network interfacecard 1 of the host 11(1) whether the presentation data and the commandare received (step S36). If they are received, then this presentationdata is displayed on the notebook size personal computer of the host11(1) and the projector 12 by using the presentation applicationsoftware (step S37). The network interface cards 1 of other clientsdisplay this presentation data at the steps S42, S43 shown in FIG. 14.

[0168] As a result, the same presentation data as that displayed on thenotebook size personal computer of the client who got the presentationright is displayed on the notebook size personal computers of the host11(1) and other clients and the projector 12.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 13, while executing the steps S36 and S37, thenetwork interface card 1 of the host 11(1) repeatedly determines whetheror not the notebook size personal computer of the host 11(1) executes apredetermined operation for returning the presentation right (step S38)and also repeatedly determines whether or not a new presentation rightget request from other client is received (step S39).

[0170] Then, if the presentation return operation is executed, then acommand for returning the presentation right is transmitted to theclient which got the presentation right (step S40). Then, control goesback to the step S32.

[0171] If the presentation right get request from any one of otherclients is received, then at a step S35, a new presentation right getcommand is transmitted to that client.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 14, while executing the steps S47 and S48 andtransmitting the presentation data and the command, it is repeatedlydetermined by the network interface card 1 of the client which got thepresentation right whether or not the presentation right return commandor the command for enabling other client to get the presentation rightis received (step S49). Then, if any command is received, then controlgoes back to the step S42.

[0173] Consequently, the presentation right is again transferred to thehost 11(1) or other client and the presentation data transmitted fromthe host 11(1) or the client is displayed on the notebook size personalcomputers of the host 11(1) and the clients 11(2) to 11(n) and theprojector 12.

[0174] The processings shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are continuouslyexecuted until the network interface card 1 is ejected from the notebooksize personal computer or the operating system of the notebook sizepersonal computer is ended.

[0175] By the processings shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the samepresentation data as that displayed on the projector 12 is displayed onthe notebook size personal computers of the clients 11(2) to 11(n).Moreover, the presentation data transmitted from the client (clientwhich has got the presentation right) is displayed on the notebook sizepersonal computers of other clients and the projector 12.

[0176] Therefore, the participant on the seat distant from the projectorcan visually confirm the presentation data well by watching the screenof the notebook size personal computer of the client on hand. Theparticipant on the seat which is not distant from the projector 12 isable to watch the presentation data from either the projector 12 or thenotebook size personal computer of the client (e.g., the participant canwatch the image through the projector 12 having the large-size screenand can also watch small illustrations through the notebook sizepersonal computer of the client on hand).

[0177] Moreover, while being seated, the participant of the conferencecan obtain the presentation right by the client on hand and can transmitthe presentation data. Therefore, the participant can make apresentation without leaving the seat.

[0178] The “host program” and the “client program” contain processingswhich are used to individually display data from the server of the wireLAN (FIG. 5) and data from the WWW server of the Internet on thenotebook size personal computers of the individual clients 11(2) to11(n). The network interface cards 1 of the host 11(1) and the clients11(2) to 11(n) start these processings immediately after thepresentation application software has automatically been activated inthe presentation processings shown in FIGS. 13, 14.

[0179]FIGS. 15 and 16 show the contents of these processings on the“host program” and the “client program”, respectively. As shown in FIG.15, it is determined by the network interface card 1 of the host 11(1)whether or not the access request to the server of the wire LAN or theWWW server of the Internet are received from the individual clients11(2) to 11(n) (step S51). The requests are transmitted and received inaccordance with the polling system shown in FIG. 7 in the processingsshown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 16, it is determined by the network interfacecards 1 of the clients 11(2) to 11(n) whether or not the notebook sizepersonal computers of the clients 11(2) to 11(n) concerned access theserver of the wire LAN or the WWW server of the Internet (step S61). Ifthis operation is executed, then the access request to this server istransmitted to the host 11(1) (step S62).

[0181] As shown in FIG. 15, if the access request from the client isreceived, then the network interface card 1 of the host 11(1) accessesthe server (the server of the wire LAN or the WWW server of theInternet) in accordance with this access request, and transmits the datatransmitted from this server to that client (step S52).

[0182] As a consequence, data of the server of the wire LAN or data ofthe WWW server of the Internet is individually displayed on the notebooksize personal computer of that client.

[0183] If the presentation is now being executed by the processingsshown in FIGS. 13 and 14, data of this server is transmitted to thatclient at the step S52 instead of the presentation data that has beentransmitted so far. Consequently, instead of the presentation data thathas been displayed so far, data of this server (i.e., data differentfrom the presentation data displayed on the notebook size personalcomputers of the host 11(1) and other clients and the projector 12) isdisplayed on the notebook size personal computer of that client.

[0184] While executing the step S52, it is repeatedly determined by thenetwork interface card 1 of the host 11(1) whether or not an access endrequest from that client is received (step S53), whether or not the newaccess request is received (step S54) and whether or not thepresentation is now being executed and whether or not the display of newpresentation data is changed (switching of page and the like) (stepS55).

[0185] As shown in FIG. 16, after having transmitted the access request,it is repeatedly determined by the network interface cards 1 of theclients 11(2) to 11(n) whether or not the notebook size computers of theclients 11(2) to 11(n) concerned end the access (step S63) and whetheror not they access a new server (step S64).

[0186] Then, if it is determined that the access end operation isexecuted, then the access end request is transmitted to the host 11(1)(step S65), and control goes back to the step S61. If it is determinedthat the operation for accessing another server is executed, thencontrol goes back to the step S62.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 15, if the access end request is received, thenthe network interface card 1 of the host 11(1) ends the access of theserver (step S56), and control goes back to the step S51. As a result,when the presentation is being executed, the presentation data is againdisplayed on the notebook size personal computer of that client.

[0188] If a new access request is received, then this time the server isaccessed at the step S52 in accordance with the access request, and datais transmitted to the client.

[0189] If the presentation is now being executed and the display of thenew presentation data is changed, then the transmission of data from theserver is interrupted during a constant time (step S57).

[0190] While the transmission of the data from the server is beinginterrupted at the step S57, the presentation data is transmitted tothat client by the processings shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Thus, each timethe display of the presentation data is changed, the changedpresentation data is displayed on the notebook size personal computer ofthe client, which displays data of the server of the wire LAN and dataof the WWW server of the Internet, during a constant time.

[0191] The processings shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are continuouslyexecuted until the network interface card 1 is ejected from the notebooksize personal computer or the operating system of the notebook sizepersonal computer is ended.

[0192] Owing to the processings shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, when theparticipants of the conference want to examine data of the server of thewire LAN and data of the WWW server of the Internet before they make apresentation, they can examine the data of that server by the client onhand.

[0193] While the participant is examining data during other participantis making a presentation, since the changed presentation data isdisplayed during a constant time each time the display of thepresentation data is altered, the presentation data can be preventedfrom being overlooked for a mistake.

[0194] As described above, in this wireless LAN conference system, sincethe card type network interface 1 is prepared at the conference hall andthe clients are each comprised of the notebook size personal computersbrought by the participants of the conference and this card type networkinterface 1, the network of the clients can be set without imposing theburden upon the participants of the conference, and the system can beconstructed without increasing the costs of equipment of the conferencehall .unlike the case in which personal computers are installed atrespective seats as equipment.

[0195] Moreover, since the host also is comprised of the same networkconference terminal device as that of the client, an exclusive deviceneed not be provided as the host, and hence the costs of equipment ofthe conference hall can be suppressed more.

[0196] In addition, since the presentation application software isstored in the network interface card 1, even when the participant of theconference brings a notebook size personal computer in which thepresentation application software is not installed, such notebook sizepersonal computer also can display the presentation data.

[0197] Further, this presentation application software can be activatedautomatically. Accordingly, the participant of the conference need notexecute operations to activate this presentation application software,and hence a burden imposed upon the participants can be alleviated more.

[0198] Since the host and the clients are connected by the wireless LAN,a wire transmission medium such as a coaxial cable and an optical fibercable need not be laid over the conference hall, and hence the cost ofequipment can be reduced from this viewpoint. Further, the position ofthe wireless LAN conference terminal device 11 within the conferencehall is not fixed unlike the case in which the wire transmission mediumis laid over (accordingly, the layout of seats is not fixed), and hencethe layout of seats can be determined freely.

[0199] Moreover, the LAN conference system can be constructed withoutchanging at all the wire LAN which is constructed in advance within abuilding in which a conference hall is prepared.

[0200] In the above example, the processing content of the “host/clientdecision program” is that the first wireless LAN conference terminaldevice 11 to which the network interface card 1 is attached and in whichthe operating system of the notebook size personal computer is activatedin the conference hall as the host.

[0201] However, the processing content of the “host/client decisionprogram” is not limited thereto and may be a processing content in whichany one of the wireless LAN conference terminal devices 11 is determinedas the host by a proper method (e.g., a picture for urging theparticipant to select the host or the client is displayed on thenotebook size personal computer and the host or the client is determinedin accordance with the operations of the notebook size personalcomputer).

[0202] While the projector is provided in the above example, as anotherexample, the wireless LAN conference system may be constructed withoutproviding the projector and presentation data may be displayed only onthe notebook size personal computers of the host and the clients.

[0203] Since the projector is connected only to the host through theexternal display output terminal of the notebook size personal computerin the above example, when other participant than the coordinator of theconference makes a presentation, the host transmits presentation data,transmitted from the client to the host, to the projector.

[0204] However, as another example, as shown in FIG. 17, by using aprojector that can be connected to the wireless LAN (e.g., projectorwith a personal computer, which can be connected to the wireless LAN,attached thereto) 14, the presentation data may directly be transmittedto the projector 14 through the wireless LAN from the clients 11(2) to11(n) (the host 11(1) also may transmit the presentation data to theprojector 14 through the wireless LAN) (in FIG. 17, parts common tothose of FIG. 5 are marked with the identical reference numerals andthis relationship applies for the following FIGS. 18, 19 as well).

[0205] In the above example, the host and the projector are provided asseparate sections. However, as other example, as shown in FIG. 18, theremay be provided a projector 16 with a personal computer 15 having a PCcard slot attached thereto. The network interface card 1 may be attachedto this personal computer 15 and this personal computer may be served asthe host, whereby the projector may be served also as the host.

[0206] In the wireless LAN conference system shown in FIG. 18, the samepresentation data as that displayed on the projector 16 is directlytransmitted to the clients 11(2) to 11(n) from the projector 16 throughthe wireless LAN and thereby is displayed on the clients 11(2) to 11(n).Similarly to the wireless LAN conference system shown in FIG. 17,presentation data may directly be transmitted to the projector 16 fromthe clients 11(2) to 11(n) through the wireless LAN and thereby suchpresentation data can be displayed on the projector 16.

[0207] Further, in the example shown in FIG. 18, when the presentationdata displayed on the projector 16 can be well watched from all seatsand only one participant makes a presentation, as shown in FIG. 19, forexample, there is provided only one wireless LAN conference terminaldevice (client) 11(2). Then, this wireless LAN conference terminaldevice 11, the wire LAN and the video camera 13 may be connectedtogether, whereby the participant which will make a presentation getsthe presentation right by this client 11(2) from beginning to end andmay transmit the presentation data to the projector 16.

[0208] In the above example, not only the “client program” but also the“host/client decision program” and the “host program” are stored in thenetwork interface card, whereby the notebook size personal computer withthe network interface card attached thereto may be served as the host.

[0209] However, as other example, the “host/client decision program” andthe “host program” may not be stored in the network interface card andthe “client program” may constantly be activated based on the fact thatthe network interface card is attached to the notebook size personalcomputer. In that case, as the host, there may be used such one in whichan ordinary (not relating to the present invention) network interfacecard is attached to the personal computer in which the “host program”and the presentation application software are installed (in the examplesshown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the “host program” and the presentationapplication software may be installed on the personal computer attachedto the projector and the ordinary network interface card may be attachedto such personal computer).

[0210] In the above example, the “host program” and the “client program”contain the processing by which the client gets the presentation right.However, when the participant of the conference need not transmit thepresentation data by the client in hand (e.g., announcement meeting inwhich a specific person makes a presentation in a one-sided fashion),“host program” and “client program” need not contain this processing.

[0211] In the above example, the presentation application software isstored in the network interface card. However, as other example, thepresentation application software may not be stored in the networkinterface card, and the network interface card may be attached to thenotebook size personal computer in which the presentation applicationsoftware was installed.

[0212] In the above example, the network interface card is attached tothe notebook size personal computer, thereby resulting in the client andthe host being constructed. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto, and the client and the host may be constructed byattaching the network interface card to suitable information terminaldevices to which the PC card can be attached (other personal computersthan the notebook size personal computer, personal digital assistantswhich are highly-sophisticated electronic notes, printers, image writingdevices having a built-in camera, etc.).

[0213] In the above example, the network interface card adopts the radiofrequency system as the wireless LAN system. However, as other example,an infrared system may be adopted as the wireless LAN system.

[0214] In the above example, the network interface card is applied tothe wireless LAN conference system. However, the present invention isnot limited thereto, and the network interface card may be applied toother uses than the wireless LAN conference system. However, in thatcase, the network interface card may transmit and receive data throughthe wire LAN.

[0215] In the above example, the present invention is applied to thenetwork interface card which is based on the PCMCIA standards. However,the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present inventionmay be applied to proper card type (including thin-chip type) networkinterface cards which can be attached to the information terminaldevices.

[0216] The present invention is not limited to the above examples and itis needless to say that the present invention may take variousarrangements without departing from the gist thereof.

[0217] As described above, according to the card type network interfaceof the present invention, there is achieved the effect that the networksetting for connecting the information terminal device such as thepersonal computer to the LAN can be executed without imposing a burdento users.

[0218] Accordingly, in the conference using the LAN, for example, iftheses card type network interfaces are prepared in the conference halland these card type network interfaces are attached to the informationterminal devices such as the notebook size personal computers brought bythe participants of the conference, then the network setting can beexecuted as the assumption that the participants are going to attend theconference without imposing a burden upon the participants. Moreover,the cost of equipment of the conference hall can be prevented from beingincreased unlike the case in which the information terminal devices suchas the personal computers are attached to the respective seats asequipment.

[0219] According to this card type network interface, since the host ofthe LAN also is comprised of the information terminal device to whichthis card type network interface is attached, there is achieved theeffect that the LAN system can be constructed without providing anexclusive-device as the host. Therefore, in the conference using theLAN, for example, the cost of equipment of the conference hall can besuppressed more.

[0220] According to this card type network interface, in the conferenceusing the LAN, for example, the participant of the conference can make apresentation without leaving the seat.

[0221] According to this card type network interface, there are achievedeffects that the host can accurately receive requests from a pluralityof clients whose network settings were completed through the wirelessLAN and that the host can accurately receive the setting informationrequest through the wireless LAN.

[0222] According to this card type network interface, in the conferenceusing the LAN, for example, there is achieved the effect in which theinformation terminal device in which the presentation applicationsoftware is not installed can display the present application data.Moreover, since the participant of the conference need not executeoperations to activate the presentation application software, there isachieved the effect in which a burden imposed upon the participants canbe alleviated more.

[0223] Next, according to the network conference terminal device of thepresent invention, there are achieved the effects in which the networksetting used as the assumption that the participants are going to attendthe conference using the wireless LAN can be executed without imposing aburden upon the participants and in which the cost of equipment of theconference hall can be prevented from being increased unlike the case inwhich the information terminal devices are provided at the respectiveseats as equipment.

[0224] According to the network conference terminal device, since thehost of the wireless LAN also is comprised of this network conferenceterminal device, there is achieved the effect in which the wireless LANconference system can be constructed without providing theexclusive-device as the host. Therefore, the cost of equipment of theconference hall can be suppressed more.

[0225] According to this network conference terminal device, in theconference using the wireless LAN, for example, the participant of theconference can make a presentation without leaving the seat.

[0226] According to this network conference terminal device, there areachieved effects in which the host can accurately receive requests froma plurality of clients whose network settings were completed and inwhich the host can accurately receive the setting information request toset the network.

[0227] According to this network conference terminal device, in theconference using the wireless LAN, for example, there is achieved theeffect in which the information terminal device in which thepresentation application software is not installed can display thepresentation data. Moreover, since the participant of the conferenceneed not execute operations to activate the presentation applicationsoftware, there is achieved the effect in which a burden imposed uponthe participants can be alleviated more.

[0228] Next, according to the network conference system of the presentinvention, there are achieved the effects in which the network settingcan be executed without imposing a burden upon the participants and inwhich the system can be constructed without increasing the cost ofequipment of the conference hall.

[0229] According to the network conference system, since the host alsois comprised of the same network conference terminal device as that ofthe client, there is achieved the effect in which the exclusive-deviceneed not be provided as the host so that the cost of equipment of theconference hall can be suppressed more.

[0230] According to this network conference system, the participant ofthe conference can make a presentation without leasing the seat.

[0231] According to this network conference system, there are achievedthe effects in which the host can accurately receive requests from aplurality of clients in which the network setting was completed and inwhich the host can accurately receive the request of the settinginformation for setting the network.

[0232] According to this network conference system, there is achievedthe effect in which the client or the host using the informationterminal device in which the presentation application software is notinstalled can display the presentation data. Since the participant ofthe conference need not execute operations to activate the presentationapplication software, a burden imposed upon the participant can besuppressed more.

[0233] Next, according to another network conference system of thepresent invention, there are achieved the effects in which the networksetting of the client can be executed without imposing a burden upon theparticipants of the conference, the system can be reconstructed withoutincreasing the cost of equipment of the conference hall and in which theparticipant can make a presentation without leaving the seat.

[0234] According to another network conference system, there areachieved the effects in which the same presentation data as thepresentation data displayed on the image display device can directly betransmitted from the image display device through the wireless LAN tothe client and can be displayed on the client and in which thepresentation data can directly be transmitted from the client throughthe wireless LAN to the image display device and such presentation datacan be displayed on the image display device.

[0235] Further, according another network conference system, there areachieved the effects in which the image display device (host) canaccurately receive the requests from a plurality of clients in which thenetwork setting was completed and in which the image display device canaccurately receive the setting information request to set the network.

[0236] Furthermore, according to another network conference system,there is achieved the effect in which the client using the informationterminal device in which the present application software is notinstalled and the image display device can display the presentationdata. Since the participant of the conference need not executeoperations to activate the presentation application software, there isachieved the effect in which a burden imposed upon the participants canbe alleviated more.

1. A card type network interface which can be attached to an informationterminal device, comprising: connecting means for connecting saidinformation terminal device to a local area network; and setting meansfor requesting a host of said local area network to transmit settinginformation necessary for executing a network setting to connect saidinformation terminal device to said local area network based on the factthat said card type network interface can be attached to saidinformation terminal device and executing said network setting by usingsaid setting information transmitted from said host.
 2. A card typenetwork interface according to claim 1, further comprising: determiningmeans for determining based on the fact that said card type networkinterface can be attached to said information terminal device whethersaid information terminal device should be a host or a client of saidlocal area network; and processing means for transmitting said requestedsetting information to said client based on the fact that saidinformation terminal device is determined as said host by saiddetermining means, wherein said setting means requests said settinginformation based on the fact that said information terminal device isdetermined as said client by said determining means.
 3. A card typenetwork interface according to claim 1, wherein presentation applicationsoftware for displaying and controlling presentation data is stored insaid card type network interface.
 4. A card type network interfaceaccording to claim 3, wherein said information terminal deviceautomatically activates automatic activating application software storedin a hard disk and said card type network interface allows saidinformation terminal device to recognize said card type networkinterface as a hard disk so that said presentation application softwareis automatically activated in said information terminal device.
 5. Acard type network interface according to claim 2, wherein saiddetermining means determines said information terminal device as saidhost based on the fact that said card type network interface is attachedto said information terminal device on condition that a command forinhibiting said information terminal device from being determined assaid host is not received through said local area network and transmitsa command for inhibiting said other information terminal device frombeing determined as said host through said local area network.
 6. A cardtype network interface according to claim 2, further comprising:processing means for requesting said host to get a presentation rightbased on the fact that said information terminal device is determined assaid client by said determining means, said network setting is completedby said setting means and a predetermined operation is executed by saidinformation terminal device and transmitting presentation data to saidhost and said other client based on the fact that said presentationright is obtained; and processing means for allowing said client to getsaid presentation right based on the fact that said information terminaldevice is determined as said host by said determining means and thatsaid host is requested to get said presentation right.
 7. A card typenetwork interface according to claim 2, wherein said connecting meansfurther includes processing means for connecting said informationterminal device to a wireless local area network, receiving a requestfrom said client in which said network setting was completed in apolling system based on the fact that said information terminal deviceis determined as said host by said determining means and awaiting arequest of said setting information at the end of a polling cycle andwherein said setting means requests said setting information at the endof said polling cycle.
 8. A card type network interface according toclaim 2, wherein presentation application software for displaying andcontrolling presentation data is stored in said card type networkinterface.
 9. A card type network interface according to claim 8,wherein said information terminal device automatically activatesautomatic activating application software stored in a hard disk and saidcard type network interface allows said information terminal device torecognize said card type network interface as a hard disk so that saidpresentation application software is automatically activated in saidinformation terminal device.
 10. A network conference terminal device inwhich a card type network interface is attached to an informationterminal device and which includes presentation processing means fordisplaying and controlling presentation data according to the need, saidcard type network interface including: connecting means for connectingsaid information terminal device to a wireless local area network; andsetting means for requesting a host of said wireless local area networkto transmit setting information necessary for executing a networksetting to connect said information terminal device to said wirelesslocal area network based on the fact that said card type networkinterface is attached to said information terminal device and executingsaid network setting by using said setting information transmitted fromsaid host.
 11. A network conference terminal device according to claim10, wherein said card type network interface further includes:determining means for determining based on the fact that said card typenetwork interface is attached to said information terminal devicewhether said information terminal device is served as a host or a clientof said wireless local area network; and processing means fortransmitting said requested setting information to said client andtransmitting said presentation data to said client in which said networksetting was completed based on the fact that said information terminaldevice is determined as said host by said determining means and whereinsaid setting means requests said setting information based on the factthat said information terminal device is determined as said client bysaid determining means.
 12. A network conference terminal deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein said presentation processing meansdisplays said presentation data by executing presentation applicationsoftware stored in said card type network interface.
 13. A networkconference terminal device according to claim 12, wherein saidinformation terminal device automatically activates automatic activatingapplication software stored in a hard disk and said card type networkinterface allows said information terminal device to recognize said cardtype network interface as a hard disk so that said presentationapplication software is automatically activated in said informationterminal device.
 14. A network conference terminal device according toclaim 11, wherein said determining means determines said terminal deviceas said host and transmits a command for inhibiting said other terminaldevice from being determined as said host through said wireless localarea network based on the fact that said network conference terminal isattached to said terminal device on condition that a command forinhibiting said terminal device from being determined as said host isnot received through said wireless local area network.
 15. A networkconference terminal device according to claim 11, wherein said card typenetwork interface further includes: processing means for requesting saidhost to get a presentation right based on the fact that said terminaldevice is determined as said client by said determining means, saidnetwork setting is completed by said setting means and that apredetermined operation is executed by said terminal device andtransmitting said presentation data to said host and said other clientbased on the fact that said presentation right is obtained; andprocessing means for allowing said client to get said presentation rightbased on the fact that said terminal device is determined as said hostand that said host is requested to get said presentation right.
 16. Anetwork conference terminal device according to claim 11, wherein saidcard type network interface further includes: processing means forreceiving in a polling system a request from said client in which saidnetwork setting was completed based on the fact that said terminaldevice is determined as said host by said determining means and awaitinga request of said setting information at the end of a polling cycle andwherein said setting means requests said setting information at the endof said polling cycle.
 17. A network conference terminal deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein said presentation processing meansdisplays said presentation data by executing presentation applicationsoftware stored in said card type network interface.
 18. A networkconference terminal device according to claim 17, wherein saidinformation terminal device automatically activates automatic activatingapplication software stored in a hard disk and said card type networkinterface allows said information terminal device to recognize said cardtype network interface as a hard disk so that said presentationapplication software is automatically activated in said informationterminal device.
 19. A network conference system comprising: a host of awireless local area network; a client of said wireless local areanetwork, wherein said includes an information terminal device to which acard type network interface is attached and presentation processingmeans for displaying and controlling presentation data according to theneed, said card type network interface includes connecting means forconnecting said information terminal device to said wireless local areanetwork and setting means for requesting said host to transmit settinginformation necessary for executing a network setting to connect saidinformation terminal device to said wireless local area network based onthe fact that said card type network interface is attached to saidinformation terminal device and executing said network setting by usingsaid setting information transmitted from said host and said hosttransmits said setting information to said client based on a request ofsaid setting information and transmits said presentation data to saidclient in which said network setting was completed.
 20. A networkconference system according to claim 19, wherein said card type networkinterface further includes: determining means for determining based onthe fact that said card type network interface is attached to saidinformation terminal device whether said information terminal device isserved as a host or a client of said wireless local area network; andprocessing means for transmitting said requested setting information tosaid client and transmitting said presentation data to said client inwhich said network setting was completed based on the fact that saidinformation terminal device is determined as said host by saiddetermining means and wherein said setting means requests said settinginformation based on the fact that said information terminal device isdetermined as said client by said determining means and said host issuch one that an information terminal device to which said card typenetwork interface is attached is determined as a host by saiddetermining means.
 21. A network conference system according to claim19, wherein said presentation processing means displays saidpresentation data by executing presentation application software storedin said card type network interface.
 22. A network conference systemaccording to claim 21, wherein said information terminal deviceautomatically activates automatic activating application software storedin a hard disk and said card type network interface allows saidinformation terminal device to recognize said card type networkinterface as a hard disk so that said presentation application softwareis automatically activated in said information terminal device.
 23. Anetwork conference system according to claim 20, wherein saiddetermining means determines said information terminal device as saidhost and transmits a command for inhibiting said other informationterminal device from being determined as said host through said wirelesslocal area network based on the fact that said card type networkinterface is attached to said information terminal device on conditionthat a command for inhibiting said information terminal device frombeing determined as said host is not received through said wirelesslocal area network.
 24. A network conference system according to claim20, wherein said card type network interface further includes:processing means for requesting said host to get a presentation rightbased on the fact that said card type network interface is determined assaid client by said determining means, said network setting is completedby said setting means and that a predetermined operation is executed bysaid information terminal device and transmitting said presentation datato said host and said other client based on the fact that saidpresentation right is obtained; and processing means for allowing saidclient to get said presentation right based on the fact that said cardtype network interface is determined as said host by said determiningmeans and that said host is requested to get said presentation right.25. A network conference system according to claim 20, wherein said cardtype network interface further includes processing means for receivingin a polling system a request from said client in which said networksetting was completed based on the fact that said card type networkinterface is determined as said host by said determining means andawaiting a request of said setting information at the end of a pollingcycle and wherein said setting means requests said setting informationat the end of said polling cycle.
 26. A network conference systemaccording to claim 20, wherein said presentation processing meansdisplays said presentation data by executing presentation applicationsoftware stored in said card network interface.
 27. A network conferencesystem according to claim 26, wherein said terminal device automaticallyactivates automatic activating application software stored in a harddisk and said card type network interface allows said terminal device torecognize said card type network interface as a hard disk so that saidpresentation application software is automatically activated in saidterminal device.
 28. A network conference system comprising an imagedisplay device and a client of a wireless local area network, whereinsaid image display device has an information terminal device to which acard type network interface can be attached, said information terminaldevice has said card type network interface attached thereto andincludes a presentation processing means for displaying and controllingpresentation data; said client is constructed such that said card typenetwork interface is attached to an information terminal device andincludes said presentation processing means according to the need; saidcard type network interface comprising: connecting means for connectingsaid information terminal device to said wireless local area network;determining means for determining based on the fact that said card typenetwork interface is attached to said information terminal devicewhether said information terminal device is served as a host or a clientof said wireless local area network; setting means for requesting saidhost to transmit setting information necessary for executing a networksetting to connect said information terminal device to said wirelesslocal area network based on the fact that said information terminaldevice is determined as said client by said determining means andexecutes said network setting by using said setting informationtransmitted from said host; processing means for transmitting saidrequested setting information to said client based on the fact that saidinformation terminal device is determined as said host by saiddetermining means and transmitting said presentation data to said clientin which said network setting was completed; processing means forrequesting said host to get a presentation right based on the fact thatsaid information terminal device is determined as said client by saiddetermining means, said network setting was completed by said settingmeans and that a predetermined operation is executed by said informationterminal device and transmitting said presentation data to said host andsaid client based on the fact that said presentation right is obtained;and processing means for allowing said client to get said presentationright based on the fact that said information terminal device isdetermined as said host by said determining means and that said host isrequested to get said presentation right, and said image display deviceis constructed such that said information terminal device attached tosaid image display device is determined as a host by said determiningmeans.
 29. A network conference system according to claim 28, whereinsaid determining means determines said terminal device as said hostbased on the fact that said card type network interface is attached tosaid terminal device on condition that a command for inhibiting saidinformation terminal device from being determined as said host is notreceived through said wireless local area network and transmits acommand for inhibiting said other information terminal device from beingdetermined as said host through said wireless local area network.
 30. Anetwork conference system according to claim 28, wherein said card typenetwork interface further includes processing means for receiving in apolling system a request from said client in which said network settingwas completed based on the fact that said information terminal device isdetermined as said host by said determining means and awaiting a requestof said setting information at the end of a polling cycle and whereinsaid setting means requests said setting information at the end of saidpolling cycle.
 31. A network conference system according to claim 28,wherein said presentation processing means displays said presentationdata by executing presentation application software stored in said cardtype network interface.
 32. A network conference system according toclaim 31, wherein said terminal device automatically activates automaticactivating application software stored in a hard disk and said card typenetwork interface allows said terminal device to recognize said cardtype network interface as a hard disk so that said presentationapplication software is automatically activated in said terminal device.